IFL Stars Back New Self Defence Classes

A self defence course with a bonus is being launched. The International Fight League backed initiative will see top class Mixed Martial Arts facilities across the United States throw open their doors to promote awareness.

The International Fight League have announced that many of its world-champion coaches and athletes will host free classes at their respective martial arts academies and at LA BOXING locations, in support of the National Self-Defense Institute’s “Self-Defense Awareness Month” in January. In all, at least eight schools will hold free classes nationwide. These and other coaches may also sponsor additional classes during the month.

The academies involved will include those of such mixed martial arts stars as Bas Rutten, Matt Lindland, Pat Miletich, Marco Ruas and Renzo Gracie, as well as athletes from their IFL camps, with events being held in New York, Chicago, Southern California, South Florida, Las Vegas and other cities. The classes are open to men and women of all ages and are on a first come, first serve basis. Those interested in participating should contact the school in advance for more information.

“The IFL and our coaches are proud to be promoting Self-Defense Awareness Month in this way,” said IFL Co-founder and Commissioner Kurt Otto. “Many people, particularly women, utilize martial arts for self-defense purposes, and by providing these free classes, our coaches and athletes, in concert with LA BOXING, are making an important commitment to help people in the same communities in which they train their IFL teams and others where they run academies.”

National Self-Defense Institute (www.nsdi.org) utilizes the opportunity to promote its SAFE (Self-Defense Awareness and Familiarization Exchange) program. The program has a two-fold purpose: to prevent crimes of sexual violence through programmes of education and training, focusing primarily on awareness and prevention; and to educate women about realistic options that will help them avoid, escape, and survive assaults if they do occur.

Following is the schedule of free classes to date. Participants are urged to check www.ifl.tv/SelfDefense08.html for an updated list, and to call ahead to the academy in their respective area to reserve a spot.

Bas Rutten's Elite MMA, 2955 E Hillcrest Dr., Suite 108, Thousand Oaks, Calif.; Phone: (805) 496-4472 www.elitemmagym.com; Sunday, Jan. 6, noon, 1 p.m. (two sessions)

Renzo Gracie Academy, 224 W. 30th St., New York; Phone: (212) 279-6724; www.renzogracie.com; Saturday, Jan. 19, 3 p.m.

Team Quest Training Center, 18206 SE Stark St., Portland, Ore.; Phone: (503) 661-4134; www.tqfc.com; Friday, Jan. 18, 8 p.m.

Miletich Fighting Systems, 325 16th St., Bettendorf, Iowa, www.mfselite.com; date(s) TBD

Ruas Vale Tudo, Laguna Niguel, Calif., date(s) TBD

LA BOXING, 6315 S. Rainbow Blvd. Suite 105 & 106, Las Vegas, Phone: 702.878.IBOX, www.laboxing.com/lasvegas; Wednesday, Jan. 16, 5:30 p.m.,

LA BOXING, 8241 Bruceville Rd, Suite 140, Sacramento, Calif., Phone: 916.688.KBOX, www.laboxing.com/sacramento; date(s) TBD

LA BOXING, 10 Meadowlands Pkwy., Secaucus, N.J., Phone: 201.348.UBOX, www.laboxing.com/secaucus Saturday, Jan. 19, time TBD

With more than 90 locations throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, LA BOXING Franchise Corporation is the fastest rising franchise operation in the Health and Fitness industry. Offering several levels of membership that consists of unique professional boxing and kickboxing training regimens, it utilizes a system and products that are proprietary to LA BOXING.